The local association will field teams in the U20s mixed, open men and women, senior mixed and 35s, 40s and 50s men’s divisions. 

It’s a similar number to what they had last year, Tamworth Oztag’s Pam Potts said. 

“It’ll be interesting to see how we fare considering we’re the only stand-alone area that competes,” Potts said.

She expects the two opens sides to be competitive.

“The open women have had really good numbers turning up for training,” she said.

“The senior mixed is a similar team to last season with a few new recruits.”

They’ve also been doing some extra training sessions.

The U20s didn’t go away last year and are a very young side.

“It’s going to be hard for the U20s,” Potts said.

“We’ve got a lot of good young players in there but the oldest is 19 and we go right down to 16.”

They’ll be coming up against players in some cases with three years on them.

For many of them too it will be their first taste of senior rep oztag.

The 40s and 50s both boast their share of ex and current Australian reps and are raring to go with full sides.

The 35s is a mix of Tamworth players and players from the pool.

“We’ve got about eight players off the playing pool and about six of ours,” Potts said.

They’re also sending four referees over.

Tony Mumford will be blowing the whistle for the first time at the nationals, and be joined by Brian Bolton, Craig Follington and Rod Fensbo.

The tournament gets underway on Friday.

“Most teams have a game on the Friday,” Potts said.

They’ll then play through Saturday and are assured of at least one game on Sunday morning, more if they make the finals.